Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity has used all the biological resources that Earth regenerates during the entire year. The date changes each year, more information can be found here:
https://www.overshootday.org/
There are obvious reasons that we need to stop consuming and using the Earth’s resources faster than they are produced!
The question to consider is also who is using these resources and for what purpose?
Degrowth is a radical economic theory born in the 1970s.
What is degrowth? Degrowth broadly means shrinking rather than growing economies, so we use less of the world’s energy and resources and put wellbeing ahead of profit. The idea is that by pursuing degrowth policies, economies can help themselves, their citizens and the planet by becoming more sustainable.
(Source https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/06/what-is-degrowth-economics-climate-change/)
Degrowth is a term used for both a political, economic, and social movement as well as a set of theories that critique the paradigm of economic growth. It can be described as an extensive framework that is based on critiques of the growth-centered economic system in which we are living.
Source Wikipedia
A ‘degrowth’ strategy could cut CO2 emissions by 2050 more deeply than alternative economic growth strategies. Image: Nature Communications
The unfair distribution of wealth and consumption of natural resources by the global north is something that is of great concern. Climate justice activism and Degrowth form an important role in the transition to a fair, respectful, ethical and sustainable Living Earth.
Degrowth also forms part of the discussions regarding a paradigm shift: from an anthropocentric worldview – that says humans are the top and centre of life on this planet- towards an ecological systems worldview that acknowledges the value of the relationships between all living and non-living organisms on this planet, where humans are just part of the web of life, and dependent on its balance and healthy functioning.
Image source: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/06/what-is-degrowth-economics-climate-change/
